Snehashish roy
A viral social media claim alleging that actor Deepika Padukone publicly supported climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk through an Instagram Story has been found to be false. A screenshot purportedly showing the actor criticising the government while expressing solidarity with Wangchuk has circulated widely online, but there is no evidence that the post was ever shared from Deepika’s verified Instagram account.
The claim began gaining traction as Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its nineteenth day. The activist has been fasting in support of students protesting against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in competitive examinations. Amid growing public concern over his health, several screenshots claiming to show celebrities supporting his protest started appearing across social media platforms.
Among the most widely shared images was what appeared to be an Instagram Story from Deepika Padukone. The screenshot suggested that the actor had reposted an image of Wangchuk carrying the message, “He is fasting. We are scrolling.” It also included a caption allegedly written by Deepika stating, “Why is no one speaking about this? We are living through the darkest hour of democracy. No matter how many films are made to glorify a failed leader, the reality remains unchanged.” The screenshot quickly went viral, with many users claiming that the actor had deleted the Story shortly after posting it.
However, a verification of Deepika Padukone’s official Instagram account found no trace of such a Story. There is also no archived record or credible evidence indicating that the actor ever uploaded or later deleted the post. Reports indicate that the screenshot circulating online appears to have been digitally manipulated, making the claim unsubstantiated.
The episode has once again highlighted the growing challenge of misinformation involving public figures. Edited screenshots and fabricated social media posts have increasingly been used to falsely attribute political or social opinions to celebrities, often leading to confusion among users before the claims are verified.
This is not the first time Deepika Padukone has become the subject of viral misinformation. Earlier this year, another fabricated screenshot circulated online claiming that the actor had reviewed Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar: The Revenge. That post also turned out to be fake after no evidence of its publication could be found on her verified social media accounts.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike has continued to receive support from several members of the film fraternity. Actors including Zeenat Aman, Swara Bhasker, Shabana Azmi, Soni Razdan, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Omi Vaidya and Abhay Deol have either expressed solidarity with the activist or urged authorities to initiate dialogue while appealing to Wangchuk to end his fast in view of his deteriorating health.
Wangchuk joined the protest at Jantar Mantar on June 28 in support of students demonstrating against alleged examination irregularities. In recent updates, the activist has acknowledged the physical impact of the fast while continuing to maintain that the protest is aimed at ensuring fairness and accountability in the education system.
As the viral screenshot continues to circulate across various platforms, there remains no credible evidence linking Deepika Padukone to the post. The actor has not issued any public statement supporting Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing protest, nor has she commented on the viral claim. Available evidence indicates that the purported Instagram Story is fabricated, making the claim false.